Oregon McDonald’s franchisees settle unpaid meal-break class action for $3.55M

Franchise owners UTB Enterprises LLC, Goldenband LLC and related parties agreed on January 10, 2026 to a $3,550,000 settlement resolving claims that hourly employees were not paid for meal periods that were shorter than 30 minutes. The deal covers a class of current and former hourly workers at the affected Oregon McDonald’s locations and creates an automated payment structure plus an option to submit claims for additional compensation.

Under the settlement all class members will receive an automatic base payment of $31.14 unless they opt out. Eligible employees who submit a valid claim may receive additional payments based on the number of workweeks they were employed during the class period, with total awards reaching up to $872.49 for the highest-eligible claimants. The settlement administrator has opened a claims portal and workers must submit any claim by March 8, 2026. A fairness hearing is scheduled for March 27, 2026.

Settlement documents, eligibility and claim forms, the frequently asked questions and administrator contact details are available at claimdepot.com/settlements/utb-golden-band-class-action. The site provides instructions for filing, timelines for distribution and procedures for opting out or objecting prior to the fairness hearing.

The settlement addresses an issue familiar to fast food crews: short meal breaks that fall under 30 minutes and are alleged to have gone unpaid. For many hourly workers, even small amounts of unpaid break time add up across weeks and locations, affecting paycheck accuracy and trust in scheduling practices. The base payment will reach every class member automatically, but those who hope for meaningful back pay must submit claims and document eligible workweeks to receive larger awards.

For store managers and supervisors, the settlement underscores operational risks tied to break tracking and timekeeping systems. Franchise owners face exposure when policies, scheduling pressure or understaffing lead to abbreviated breaks. For crew members, the immediate priority is whether they are in the class, whether they already received the base payment and whether they should file a claim before the March 8 deadline.

Our two cents? If you worked hourly at one of the named franchise locations during the class period, visit the claims site, check whether you were automatically included and file a claim if you want the additional payment. Keep copies of paystubs, schedules and any notes about missed or shortened breaks, and consider talking with a workplace attorney before opting out if you plan to pursue separate claims.